As October marks\u00a0Cybersecurity Awareness Month nationwide, Fort Hays State University stands at the forefront of cybersecurity education and innovation through its Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator (CITI).\u00a0Focused on\u00a0enhancing\u00a0the cybersecurity landscape, CITI is poised to not only elevate the cybersecurity posture of Kansas but also to foster business ventures that leverage technological advancements in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CITI’s mission is to leverage the distinctive strengths of FHSU to advance the Kansas economy, particularly in asset preservation and entrepreneurial development. \u201cOur goal is to collaborate with local community partners to build a robust cybersecurity framework and fortify defenses against the growing cyber threats that impact small and medium-sized businesses across the state,\u201d said Jason Zeller, CITI\u2019s operations director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central to CITI’s efforts lies a commitment to developing a pipeline of skilled cybersecurity professionals capable of empowering local businesses. The institute actively promotes micro-internships, which allow students to engage with real-world projects that enhance the cybersecurity readiness of local businesses. Through this innovative approach, CITI bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, enabling students to apply their learning meaningfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gage Giffin, a sophomore from Sedgwick, Kansas, became aware of CITI during a Cybersecurity Club meeting and quickly seized the opportunity for a summer micro-internship. \u201cMy experience as a lab assistant in the CITI CyberLab has been invaluable. I maintain computers, manage server applications, and build cybersecurity testing environments. I\u2019ve explored vital areas like firewalls and virtualization security, which has paved the way for a promising career in DevOps\u2014a critical sector in cybersecurity,\u201d Gage said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caden Mayer, another sophomore and fellow CyberLab assistant, has also made significant contributions by helping to establish infrastructure and support environments for other students. Recognizing the vital role of education in preparing future cybersecurity professionals, Caden said, \u201cThis semester, I\u2019ve taught Hays High School students about servers and their applications. Understanding cybersecurity is essential\u2014it\u2019s everywhere, and being proactive is crucial.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through micro-internships, CITI offers various services to meet the diverse needs of businesses seeking cybersecurity support. These services include website development, security reviews, basic and advanced network setup, and vulnerability assessments. These services will help local businesses understand and rectify their cybersecurity posture, a need that Chance Anderson\u2014a graduate assistant at CITI\u2014has recognized through his experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chance chose FHSU for its unique offerings, stating, \u201cThe people here make FHSU exceptional. The professors genuinely care about my success. Additionally, pursuing my bachelor\u2019s and graduate degrees with minimal debt is a significant advantage. Our cybersecurity program emphasizes real-world application, allowing ample hands-on experience rather than endless textbook readings. I\u2019ve honed technical and soft skills, learning that every business presents unique challenges requiring tailored cybersecurity solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reflecting on his experiences, Chance explains, \u201cI\u2019ve encountered many local businesses that lack essential cybersecurity resources, and it\u2019s our role at CITI to address these gaps. We\u2019re here to help navigate the increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape.\u201d Drawing on his leadership background as a former president of the Cybersecurity Club, he underscores the need to connect student talent with community requirements, ensuring no local business remains vulnerable to cyber threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite CITI’s robust initiatives, challenges persist, particularly in getting the word out to small businesses about the available support. FHSU is actively seeking a Business Relations Director to amplify awareness of CITI\u2019s offerings. Our greatest obstacle is effectively reaching out to companies to show them that we\u2019re ready and equipped to support their IT and cybersecurity needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While micro-internships are the foundation for student engagement, CITI emphasizes venture creation through its in-residence business incubator. The incubator is designed to cultivate tech and cybersecurity startups that can flourish within Kansas. CITI aims to transform innovative ideas into successful business ventures by providing specialized guidance and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jason said the incubator will initially focus on nurturing one to two startups with potential future referrals to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as they mature. He said, ” Our mission is to facilitate the development of new businesses in sectors that align with Kansas’s unique opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Cybersecurity Awareness Month\u00a0highlights\u00a0the critical need to protect\u00a0digital assets, CITI’s initiatives align perfectly with the broader mission\u00a0to foster\u00a0a secure\u00a0digital community.\u00a0The institute’s strategy balances education, community outreach, and business development, illustrating a comprehensive approach to bolster local businesses and empower students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, CITI\u2019s dedicated faculty and staff remain passionate about the future of cybersecurity education and the growing professional opportunities it presents. With more than 700,000 job openings in the United States, the demand for cybersecurity experts is expanding rapidly. FHSU\u2019s cybersecurity program equips students with the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to tackle real-world challenges effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among CITI\u2019s offerings, students can pursue either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Information Networking and Telecommunications, with a concentration in cybersecurity, or opt for a Master of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity. The curriculum is meticulously crafted to prepare students for various professional certifications, including Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Palo Alto Networks Network Security Administrator (PCNSA). This robust training ensures graduates are well-equipped to navigate the increasingly competitive job market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Cybersecurity Awareness Month prompts organizations and individuals to elevate their vigilance against cyber threats, CITI stands as a beacon of support and innovation in Kansas. By leveraging FHSU’s educational resources, fostering entrepreneurship, and enhancing community engagement through student internships, CITI is transforming the region’s cybersecurity landscape and nurturing the next generation of industry leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future is bright with dedicated students like Gage Giffin, Caden Mayer, and Chance Anderson leading the charge. They embody the vibrant ethos of CITI and its unwavering commitment to effecting tangible impact within the cybersecurity landscape in Kansas. As they continue on their paths, these students represent just a fraction of the potential that CITI holds\u2014a potential that promises to contribute significantly to both local businesses and the field of cybersecurity in the years ahead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As October marks\u00a0Cybersecurity Awareness Month nationwide, Fort Hays State University stands at the forefront of cybersecurity education and innovation through its Cybersecurity Institute and Technology… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37698,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12323,55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-82685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-life","category-opinion"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Mason-Tisa-040A6662.jpg?fit=750%2C1050&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=82685"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82685\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82686,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82685\/revisions\/82686"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37698"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=82685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=82685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=82685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}